Philippine College of Physicians willing to work with any president in 2022

The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) on Tuesday said they were willing to work with any presidential candidate who would win Eleksyon 2022.

In a press conference, PCP President Dr. Ma. Encarnita Limpin said they would fully cooperate with the next administration to provide quality healthcare to Filipinos.

“The PCP will work with any administration whoever will be elected. Kasi kapag hindi po kami nagtatrabaho together with the government lalo na ang Department of Health (DOH), then ang lugi po ay ang mamamayang Pilipino, ang healthcare natin,” Limpin said.

(The PCP will work with any administration whoever will be elected. Because if we don't work together with the government, especially the Department of Health, then the loser would be the Filipino people and our healthcare.)

“Kahit sino pa po ang maging presidente, kahit sino ang maging secretary of health, PCP will always be there,” she added.

(Whoever becomes president, whoever becomes secretary of health, PCP will always be there.)

Limpin also hoped that the next president would allow the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act.

“We hope and we are very optimistic that with the next administration siguro ‘yung UHC Act talagang mauumpisahan… despite the pandemic that we are in. I hope we will have the UHC Act which will be good para sa mga kababayan natin,” she added.

(We hope and we are very optimistic that with the next administration, maybe, the UHC Act will begin… despite the pandemic that we are in. I hope we will have the UHC Act which will be good for our countrymen.)

It was in February 2019 when President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the UHC Act, which guarantees that all Filipinos will have equal access to quality and affordable goods and services in healthcare.

Under the law, all Filipino citizens are automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program as direct contributors or those who can pay premiums, and indirect contributors sponsored by the government such as indigents and senior citizens.

Observe health protocols

Meanwhile, Limpin reminded the public to adhere to health and safety protocols when attending campaign sorties.

The DOH had earlier warned that the country could experience another COVID-19 surge by mid-May, with Metro Manila possibly recording as many as almost half a million active cases, if minimum public health standards (MPHS) were ignored.

“Kaya patuloy ang pag-papaalala sa mga kababayan natin na kahit na nag-attend kayo ng mga rallies na yan, huwag ninyong kalimutan ang tamang pagsuot ng face mask,” Limpin stressed.

(So, we continue to remind our countrymen that even if you attend those rallies, don't forget to properly wear a face mask.)

“And sana naman magpabakuna na tayo. Nakakalabas nga po kayo para mag-attend ng mga rallies bakit hindi po kayo puwedeng lumabas para makuha ninyo ang booster shots…I hope matuto po tayong proteksyonan ang ating mga sarili,” she added.

(And I hope we get vaccinated. You can go out to attend rallies, why not go out to get booster shots? I hope we can learn to protect ourselves.)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted an emergency use authorization for a second booster shot for senior citizens, the immunocompromised, and frontline health workers.

The DOH said the second booster dose will be given at least four months after the administration of the first booster, with the FDA recognizing waning immunity in the specific populations.

The DOH said Monday that some 12.9 million have received their first booster shots.

Meanwhile, more than 67.4 million individuals or 74.98% of the government’s target population are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. — DVM, GMA News